Lenni Lenape Research Project

The First People of NJ The Lenni Lenape lived throughout New Jersey. They also lived in parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York. This area was called Lenapehoking.

Resources in Nature The Lenape used resources in nature for food, shelter and clothing. When the resources ran low the Lenape moved to new areas. This ensured that the Lenape never ran out of natural resources.

Let’s take a look at what resources the Lenape used to hunt their own food…

Hey! Where’s the teepee? The Lenape did not live in teepees. Most Lenape lived in wigwams, which were dome shaped homes made of wooden frames and tree bark.

Longhouses Some Lenape lived in longhouses. Longhouses were much larger than wigwams and were used when families planned to stay in one area for a long time. They were also made from material in nature.

Let’s turn and talk! Why do you think most Lenape prefered to live in wigwams rather than longhouses? Turn and talk to your partner.

Religious Beliefs The Lenape believed that many different spirit forces controlled the world. They called these spirits manetu.

Good Manetu Most manetu were helpful and good. They brought rain, good harvests and safe hunting.

Bad Manetu Some manetu were bad. They created trouble for people such as stinging insects, thorns and illness.

April Showers Bring May Flowers Spring was a very important season for the Lenape, this was when they planted their crops. What are some things you like to do in the Spring? Turn and talk to your partner!

What about the other seasons? Spring wasn’t the only important season to the Lenape. In fact, all of the seasons played a very important role in Lenape Life!

Cycle of the Seasons Spring Fall Winter Summer The Lenape planted their crops. They traveled to the Jersey Shore to collect clams and oysters. The Lenape survived on berries, nuts, dried meat and fish collected in the fall. Everyone returned to the village to help harvest corn, beans and squash.

Munsee and Unami There were two types of Lenape, the Munsee and Unami. The two groups shared similar culture and language, but lived in different areas. The Raritan River divided the two groups.

Wrap it up! What were the two types of Lenape called? Munsee and Unami What type of houses did the Lenape live in? Longhouses and Wigwams What did the Lenape do in the Spring? Plant crops

Let’s get down to business! Now it’s your turn to research the Lenape life! On the ballot provided, check one of the areas of Lenape life you wish to explore further. Your choices include clothing, food, jobs, recreation, education and homes.

There’s no “I” in “Team!” After you make your choices, I will collect and tally your ballots. Tomorrow you will be grouped according to your interests and begin your Lenape Life PBL!

Webliography http://www.native-languages.org/houses.htm http://www.njwomenshistory.org/Period_1/images/lenape1.jpg http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/IroquoisVillage/images/figure1longhouselg.gif http://www.bigorrin.org/lenape_kids.htm http://www.firstpeople.us/pictures/art/odd-sizes/pt/Lenape-690x1005.jpg